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Oklahoma · Fishing
Mountain View, Oklahoma sits in Kiowa County at the edge of the Wichita Mountains region, and the fishing around town leans heavily on small reservoirs built through the federal conservation district system.
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Mountain View, Oklahoma sits in Kiowa County at the edge of the Wichita Mountains region, and the fishing around town leans heavily on small reservoirs built through the federal conservation district system. The three waters listed here — Saddle Mountain Site 11 Reservoir, Rainy Mountain Creek Site 38 Reservoir, and South Clinton Laterals Site L15 Reservoir — are all impoundments typical of western Oklahoma: modest in size, built primarily for water retention and flood control, and stocked periodically by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. That means you're generally fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill, which are the bread-and-butter species for this type of water across the state. These aren't destination fisheries that draw crowds from Tulsa or Oklahoma City, which is part of the appeal. Access tends to be straightforward, pressure is low, and if you time your visit around cooler parts of the day in summer or the warming trend in early spring, you can have a productive few hours without much competition. A basic Oklahoma fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. If you're new to fishing small Oklahoma impoundments, these sites are forgiving places to learn the rhythm of reading shoreline structure and working simple rigs.
All three sites are conservation district reservoirs, which in Oklahoma typically hold channel catfish, largemouth bass, and sunfish species like bluegill and redear. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation stocks many waters of this type, but stocking schedules vary by site and year — check the ODWC fish stocking report online before your trip to see what's been added recently.
Yes. A valid Oklahoma fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older fishing any of these waters. You can purchase a license through the ODWC website or at local retailers. Oklahoma also has free fishing days each year where no license is required, so that's worth checking if you're bringing beginners.
Saddle Mountain Site 11 Reservoir
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
South Clinton Laterals Site L15 Reservoir
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Rainy Mountain Creek Site 38 Reservoir
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Gyp Creek Site 2 Reservoir
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Cavalry Creek Watershed 6 Reservoir
~30 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Tonkawa Creek Site 10 Reservoir
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Tom Steed Reservoir
~42 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Quanah Lake
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Craig Hill #3
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Sugar Creek Site 5 Reservoir
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Love Pond
~48 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Oknoname 031021 Reservoir
~51 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Also worth it near here
Spring and fall are the most productive seasons on small Oklahoma impoundments. Bass and catfish are most active when water temperatures are in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit, which typically means March through May and September through November. Summer fishing can still be good for catfish, especially at night or in the early morning before the heat sets in.
A medium-action spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range covers most situations at waters like these. For bass, soft plastics and small crankbaits worked along the shoreline structure tend to produce. For catfish, a simple bottom rig with cut bait or chicken liver is reliable. Bring a cooler if you plan to keep fish, and pack sun protection — western Oklahoma offers very little shade at open reservoir sites.
Yes, small conservation district reservoirs like these three are well-suited for beginners and casual family outings. The fishing is not technically demanding, access is generally at ground level without difficult terrain, and the species you're targeting respond well to basic rigs and bait. Just confirm current access conditions locally before you go, since rural Oklahoma sites can occasionally have road or gate issues after heavy rain.
